This blog is dedicated to the Star of David, its history, its various meanings and usages in different cultures. It includes thousands of pictures of Star of David, six-pointed stars, hexagrams, Solomon's Seals, Magen Davids and yellow badges,and served as a resource for three books and four art exhibitions.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Photo is courtesy of Tom Krepcio who made this Star of David engraved/sandblasted glass copper foil construction 9.5" circle, in 2000. Tom is devoted to stained glass and there’s a lot of info about this art on his website

In 1632 architect Borromini planned The University of Roma chapel, which was dedicated to St. Ivo, protector of the lawyers. Pope Alexander VII completed the church in 1660. The plan of the chapel is based on a hexagram.See:Solomonic Symbolism in Borromini's Church of S. Ivo alla SapienzaPierre de la Ruffiniere du PreyZeitschrift für Kunstgeschichte, 31 Bd., H. 3 (1968), pp. 216-232

Photo is courtesy of my favorite graphic artist nzdzeni who published it on Flickr and owns the Copyrights. nzdzeni added the folowing caption:

"This one was requested / inspired by Zeev [That’s me, zeevveez].The shape of the Star of David alludes to the seventh day, the day of rest and *ultimately* redemption. The pictures in each part of the clock depict one day of creation according to the Genesis account".

According to my calculations (correct me if I'm wrong) we are presently at 17:47 in the afternoon on Friday. Shabbat begins Friday evening which was last Friday on 18:59 in Jerusalem, 19:21 in Telaviv and 19:13 in Haifa.Since Balaam's prophecy the Star of David was always connected to Messianic expectations.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Picture of Star of David walls around Jerusalem is courtesy of illustrator and artist Sabina Saad who made it as an illustration for Uri Zvi Greenberg’s poem:

tonight they are shooting at your gates, Jerusalem.

Sabina told me that she was influenced by the word “shield “ which appears a few times in this poem. I showed her E.M. Lilien's ex-libris for philosopher Martin Buber which used the same idea a few decades before her; she was satisfied to hear about this connection to the first zionist painter.

Picture of Star of David in the stained glass window of the dining room in Chavat Hanoar Hazioni school in Jerusalem is courtesy of artist Ronen Kimel. This Star of David is actually the logo of this school, which was founded in 1949 and focused on teaching young Holocaust survivers. Now it is focused on teaching young new immigrants.Copyright: Ronen Kimel 2007Moshav Nir Israel 113972544807492ronenkimel@bezeqint.net

Photo of Star of David inside Star of David inside Star of David is courtesy of stained glass artist Ronen Kimel. It reminds me of an article I read once titled fields whithin fields whithin fields. It also reminds me of a kaleidoscope... Ronen Kimel lives in Moshav Nir Israel 113 and you can contact him via972544807492ronenkimel@bezeqint.net

Photo of Star of David candles with mirrors is courtesy of Rosh Pina artist Ofer Rubin who sold many such devices, only smaller, in the last years. Ofer prepared this big device especially for the Magen David exhibition at Tasha Gallery in Tel Aviv. It is a combination of light with Magen David, similar to the combination of the Magen David with the Tabernacle Menorah, according to Uri Ofir's theory.Copyright:Ofer Rubin 2007

Friday, July 27, 2007

Photo of Star of David in a stained glass window depicting the tribe of Isaskhar is courtesy of Ronen Kimel and Sabina Saad. The window is one in a series of 12 tribes of Israel and it is decorating a synagogue in Sharei Tikva, Israel.Copyrights:Ronen Kimel and Sabina Saad 2007Ronen Kimel lives in Moshav Nir Israel 113 and you can contact him via972544807492ronenkimel@bezeqint.netSabina Saad lives in Ramot MeirPhone: 97289410231

Photo of The Seven Species on a stained glass lampshade in the form of the Star of David is courtesy of Ronen Kimel and Sabina Saad. The lampshade is hanging in a synagogue in Ashdod, Israel.Copyrights: Ronen Kimel and Sabina Saad 2007Ronen Kimel lives in Moshav Nir Israel 113 and you can contact him via972544807492ronenkimel@bezeqint.netSabina Saad lives in Ramot MeirPhone: 97289410231

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Yesterday I went to participate in the opening of “Star of David” exhibition in Tasha Gallery, 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv. I met there three of the artists: Hanoch Ben Dov, Ofir Nave, Reli Wasser. I enjoyed every work of art I saw, so much that I told Reli if I could afford it I would have bought them all. At the end there were fireworks in the shape of the Star of David that added to the festive atmosphere.

Photo is courtesy of my friend Dick Ben Dor who brought me the catalog of his exhibition in June 2007 in the famous Mona Lisa Gallery in Paris. On the front we see six Stars of David representing the six days of creation surrounding the seventh day, Sabbath. On the back of the catalog we see another Star of David work titled Hope depicting the holocaust with black rivers of blood on the bottom and with the word HOPE on the top triangle.

Photo is courtesy of my friend painter Dick Ben Dor who went to a concert in YMCA in West Jerusalem and noticed this splendid Star of David on a lampshade with its amazing Star of David shadow. As I already wrote the YMCA in West Jerusalem is one of few places dedicated to bridge between Christians Jews and Muslims. The Star of David is a bridging emblem that is in use in all major religions but in YMCA it is representing only Judaism since, IMHO, the YMCA builders didn’t know how important it is to all religions.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Photo of Star of David on a Warsaw banknote is courtesy of David Diamant and if you have more information about it please email him: 313diamant@gmail.comDavid Diamant wrote to me that these banknotes were allegedly issued by the Jewish underground on spring 1941 but it is not clear if they were really used in the guetto. On the banknotes appear the letters RZwW which stand for Rada Zydowska w. Warszawie = Jewish council in Warsaw = The Judenrat

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Photo of the Star of David made from a triangle which stands for a man put on a triangle which stand for a woman is courtesy of Tzfat artist and curator Reli Waser

This painting is part of “Star of David” exhibition in Tasha Gallery, 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv, Phone: 972-50-6565552 which will be open from 25 July 2007 until 25 August 2007.All rights reserved to RELI WASSER 2007ISRAELI ART97277-3500880Noam_art@netvision.net.il

Photo of a Star of David in the creation of the world is courtesy of Israeli painter Ofir Nave This painting is part of “Star of David” exhibition in Tasha Gallery, 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv, Phone: 972-50-6565552 which will be open from 25 July 2007 until 25 August 2007.Oil and Acryl on canvas 60x70 cm.All rights reserved to Ofir Nave 200797248325604972528129413

Photo of a Stars of David in the cave where King David was hiding from King Saul is courtesy of Israeli painter Ofir Nave.This painting is part of “Star of David” exhibition in Tasha Gallery, 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv, Phone: 972-50-6565552 which will be open from 25 July 2007 until 25 August 2007.Oil and Acryl on canvas 60x70 cm.All rights reserved to Ofir Nave 200797248325604972528129413

Photo of a Star of David in a grinding machine is courtesy of Israeli painter Ofir Nave who told me that the Nazis tried during the Holocaust period to grind our emblem but eventually it stayed intact. He wanted to paint swastikas on the red parts, which symbolize the Nazis, but couldn’t do it at the time of the painting and he regrets it now. The azure color of the star reminds the uniform of the prisoners in the concentration camps.This painting is part of “Star of David” exhibition in Tasha Gallery, 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv, Phone: 972-50-6565552 which will be open from 25 July 2007 until 25 August 2007.Oil and Acryl on canvas 60x70 cm.All rights reserved to Ofir Nave 200797248325604972528129413For me this is a great example of a text that not only adds to the meaning of a painting but also actually changes the way you look at it, because when I saw it for the first time I didn’t have any of the associations included in the painter’s explanation.

Photo of Star of David engraved in stone is courtesy of Tzfat artist RELI WASSERThis Photo is part of “Star of David” exhibition in Tasha Gallery, 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv, Phone: 972-50-6565552 which will be open from 25 July 2007 until 25 August 2007.All rights reserved to RELI WASSER 2007ISRAELI ART97277-3500880Noam_art@netvision.net.il

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Photo is courtesy of painter and lecturer on kabbalah issues Avraham Loewenthal who told me that according to kabbalah teachings the sefirot themselves do not have any color or form but there are different color associations with the sefirot. In this paining we see the 42 letter divine name, each in its place in the Star of David which shows the 7 lower Spheres of the Tree of Life.This work is part of Magen David exhibition in Tasha gallery

Copyright: Abraham Lowenthalkabbala@netvision.net.il97246923051

Avraham Loewenthal wrote to me:

ANA-BEKOACH STAR-OF-DAVIDThis painting is a map of the Holy 42 Letter Divine Name, as it corresponds to the Sefirot and the Star-of-David. The Kabbalah discusses 10 Sefirot, or aspects of consciousness, through which we experience reality. The 6 points of the Star-of-David, and the 7th point in the center, represent the 7 lower Sefirot. The Kabbalah discusses how by working to balance these aspects of our inner self, we can come to experience the unconditional love and Divine goodness at the root of all creation. Each one of the 7 sefirot contains all 7 of the sefirot. The Star-of-David in this painting is color-coded corresponding to the associated sefirot. The 42 Letter Divine Name is painted according to the sefira that is associated with each letter of the Holy Name. The 7 lower sefirot and one way of translating their meaning is as follows:

The Holy Divine Name of 42 letters is discussed extensively in the Kabbalah, and is described in great detail in the Zohar and the writings of the Ari z”l. These 42 letters are associated with 42 stages in the process of our spiritual development. These stages are the secret of the 42 places mentioned in the Torah where the Nation of Israel camps during the 40 years in the Sinai Desert before entering the Land of Israel. There are 42 lines in each column of the Torah scroll paralleling this process. The 42 Letter Name is used extensively in Kabbalistic meditations and spiritual unifications. The prayer Ana-Bekoach contains 42 words. The 1st letters of these words is the 42 Letter Name. The Prayer Ana-Bekoach is included in the daily order of prayers and is found in the Siddur (prayer book).

Photo is courtesy of painter and lecturer on kabbalah issues Avraham Loewenthal who told me that kabbalah teaches the maps of the awareness of the human being. In this illustration we see, among other things, the contact between the Tree of Life and the twelve tribes, which stand for attributes in our souls, and the twelve months. In the center are the Hebrew letters of love which is the trait that opens the possibility of the repair of the world.This work is part of Magen David exhibition in Tasha Gallery

The white circle in the center of the painting contains a Star-of-David with a smaller Star-of-David depicted at each of the 6 points. The Star-of-David is a triangle going up and a triangle going down- a symbol of unification: upper and lower, spiritual and physical, within and without, woman and man, give and take, creator and creation. The coming together of 2 triangles, or 2 sets of 3, gives birth to the center of the Star-of-David, the 7. It is explained in the Kabbalah that the number 6 represent the physical world, as the physical world contains 6 directions of space: north, south, east, west, up, and down. 7 is the point in the center of all the physical world and represents the spiritual which is at the root of everything physical. We have 6 days of the week and then Shabbat. The 6 days of the week are connected with our working towards the revelation of unity, while Shabbat is connected to the revelation itself. It is taught in the Kabbalah that as we have 6 days of the week and then Shabbat, we likewise have 6000 years of our present reality leading to the 7th millennium which is the Shabbat of the universe- The Messianic Age when the world comes to complete peace and harmony as we all come to experience the spiritual revelation of oneness. The 6000 years began from the creation of Adam and Eve. (There is a long discussion in the Kabbalah, which explains how 6000 years harmonizes with the 13.5 billion years, which is understood to be the age of our world.) It is presently the year 5765 (2005). If we translate the years since Adam and Eve into terms of 1 week, we are presently after 12:30 in the afternoon on Friday. As Shabbat begins Friday evening, it is understood that we are presently at the dawning of the Redemption. It is taught that every Shabbat an additional aspect of unification is revealed in the world. As we come to realize the consciousness of unity on deeper and deeper levels, each Shabbat becomes holier and holier, until we reach "the day which is entirely Shabbat". Inside of the 6 points of the Star-of-David is written: SHABBAT KODESH [HOLY SHABBAT].

Photo is courtesy of painter and lecturer on kabbalah issues Avraham Loewenthal who told me that there is a tradition in kabbalah to write psalms chapter 67 in the shape of a menorah and then it is called Shield of David.

These words fit things I’ve already wrote on this subject, for example: that Psalms 67 in the shape of David’s Shield is mentioned in the book of Yitzhak Arama Akedat Yitzhak. Gershom Scholem in his research about the Magen David brought another source from 16th century booklet which says that king David used to carry psalm 67 engraved on his Shield.

Traditionally Psalms 67 appears in the shape of the menorah in black & white whereas Abraham Loewenthal brings it here in colors and the arrangement of the branches is an allusion to the shape of star of David, which is made from the seven spheres of the lower part of the Tree of Life which represent the correction of the world, while six points are at the edges and one in their midst.

This work is part of Magen David exhibition in Tasha GalleryCopyright: Avraham Loewenthalkabbala@netvision.net.il97246923051Avraham Loewenthal wrote to me:

Tehillim MenorahThis picture is of Psalm 67 written by King David. The 150 Psalms of King David were written with Divine inspiration, and there is deep mystical significance in every letter. This Psalm is a prayer for the time when all nations and all peoples of the earth will come to serve G-D together in harmony. There is a tradition in the Kabbalah to write this particular Psalm in the form of a menorah. There are many mystical reasons for writing this Psalm in the form of the menorah. One idea I have learned is that this Psalm contains 49 words. 49 is discussed in the Kabbalah as associated with 49 stages in our spiritual development, until we reach the “50th Gate of Bina”, which is the experience of G-D’s infinite goodness in the state of unconditional love. When this Psalm is written in the form of the menorah, there are also 49 letters going down the central column. This Psalm can be seen written in the form of a menorah, displayed in many old synagogues in Israel. This Psalm is included in the daily order of prayers in the siddur (prayer book). In many sfaradi siddurim it is written in the form of the menorah. The menorah is associated with miracles, and perhaps a simple reason why this Psalm is written in the form of the menorah, is to reflect our prayer for the miracle of G-D bringing all the peoples of the world to harmony and holiness.

Psalms, psalm 67 1: God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.2: That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.3: Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.4: O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.5: Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.6: Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.7: God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Photo of Stars of David that look like fighters in the skies is courtesy of painter Ofir Nave who told me that these are the six day war victorious fighters.Oil and Acryl on canvas 60x70 cm.This painting is part of “Star of David” exhibition in Tasha Gallery, 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv, Phone: 972-50-6565552 open from 25 July 2007 until 25 August 2007.All rights reserved to Ofir Nave 200797248325604972528129413

Photo of the Star-of-David-shaped shadow of an olive tree in a field of poppies in the Galilee in the North of Israel is courtesy of Tzfat artist RELI WASSER

For those of you who do not recognize the Israeli national symbol in this shadow I can only quote the poem

Knights in ink stainsCastles in folding clouds

Reality is in the eyes of the beholder and if Reli says there is a star in this shadow I’m sure she sees it. Readers who find other stars of David in other shadows of other trees are encouraged to send them to me to publish.This Photo is part of “Star of David” exhibition in Tasha Gallery, 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv, Phone: 972-50-6565552 which will be open from 25 July 2007 until 25 August 2007.All rights reserved to RELI WASSER 2007ISRAELI ART97277-3500880Noam_art@netvision.net.il

Friday, July 20, 2007

Photo of Star of David stone base with six memorial candles is courtesy of iron work artist

Chanoch Ben Dov

Size: 50X28"The six candles stand for the Six-Million-Jews who were killed during the HolocaustPay attention to the barbed wire fence, which stands for the concentration camps.This work will be a part of “Magen David” exhibition in Tali Rabinovich's Gallery on 42 Frishman, Tel Aviv, Phone: 972-50-6565552.

Opening: 25 July 2007 19:30.Closure: 25 August 2007Come to visit if you pass by.

Photo of Menorah, Israel State Emblem, with Star of David on its stone base is courtesy of Israeli iron work artist

Chanoch Ben Dov

This image is abundant in two dimensions but what we see here seems to be the only iron & stone replica of the Israel State Emblem.Copyrights: CHANOCH BEN DOV 2007Artistic Iron WorkHARECHAVA, 12000 ROSH PINA,ISRAELTEL:(972) 4-693-6604Cell:(972) 52-2485-066mailto:Bendov12000@walla.co.il

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Photo is courtesy of Sabina Saad who feels so identified with our national emblem that she made one from her signature creating the equation I = signature = Star of David.It belongs to this sort of things that are so obvious that you ask yourself why no body thought about it before Sabina …Copyrights: Sabina Saad 2007IsraelRamot MeirPhone: 97289410231

Photo of Star of David on a boolplate made by Ismael Smith is courtesy of Bob Weinberg (Bookplatebob@aol.com )who wrote to me:

I have been collecting bookplates for about 10 years – Ephraim Moses Lilien & Arthur Szyk are my favorite Jewish artists. Besides the bookplates of Lilien I also collect his postcards. I started out collecting American bookplates about 30 years ago – I still search for them- I collect famous Americans,primarily of the 20th century. I also have Jewish bookplates of Budko, a friend of Lilien & Ariel Birenbaum.Issac Smith Bookplate illustration by Jenor Ismael Smith. Issac is brother of artist Ismael. Spanish - born 1886 - Catholic forebears, it is believed, came from England. Died in a mental institution in US. Came to the US in 1918. Did many Jewish bookplates for his Jewish friends & clients.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Star of David in the center with torches on the sides on aPre-World war II Stamp issued by the US around 1933, as a reaction to German boycott of Jewish stores.Caption runs: "For the Humanity’s sake Don’t buy German Goods".

Photo is courtesy of "Smutchings" who published it on Flickr under the title Labelled Jew. Smutchings doesn’t say it but I reckon he shot it in Berlin Holocaust Museum. Eventhough the badge is white on black it is evident that it was yellow when the picture was taken. The photo has a powerful impact not only because it is powerful but also because it is exhibited in Berlin, the capital city of the Evil Empire of the Third Reich.

David W. Lange, an expert on American Numismatic wrote an article titled Seeing Stars were he sheds light about the usage of six-pointed stars on American coins:

In American numismatics the mullet is sometimes referred to as an American star, while the six-pointed version is described as an English star, but I've not been able to find any definitive source for such usage.The so-called English star predominates on 18th and 19th Century United States coins, but it gave way to the American star for most 20th Century issues. Charles Barber's quarter dollar and half dollar of 1892 appear to have been transitional, as they feature six-pointed stars on the obverse and five-pointed ones on the reverse…

Photo of Star of David on a poster for Jerusalem Day is courtesy of illustrator and artist Sabina Saad. The poster was made in 1994 for the Israeli Information Ministry and for the Education Ministry.Sabina works in her studio at Ramot Meir, Israel, and you can call her on the phone 97289410231Copyrights: Sabina Saad 2007

In Bakhchisaray Small Khan Mosque above the mihrab there's a stained-glass window decorated with a Solomon's Seal sign. The Crimean Tatars used this symbol also on their gravestones, coins and jewelery.

About Me

I Published 5 books: Star of David Album [English]; Star of David Black and White [Hebrew]; Yellow Badge Album [Hebrew] Thing's Name [Hebrew], I am Such a Brazilian Woman [Hebrew, Iton 77] with co-author Iara Czeresnia. I work a full time job as a blogger. I Initiated several art shows about the Star of David, about the yellow star and about the Old Testament